Hey-lam, new 2020 bt cruiser 5210

[Just two]

Extra storage overhead.

The over cab space was rattling when we went down a bumpy road. The overhead fairing was also full of wind noise. Plus there was a bunch of wasted storage space. We solved all these issues by removing the old cabinetry resealing, insulating and building new cabinets. The old insulation was lacking in so many spots. I used a FLIR camera and found cold spots over the whole area above the cab and also across the ceiling. We found fiberglass insulation loose in the area behind the TV.

Pictures
1. overhead insulation chunks missing.
2. Ceiling insulation gaps. Worse areas not shown. Sorry it’s upside down.
3. Looking forward at the new cabinet framing. Lots more storage up high.

 

[Just two]

More overhead pics

Some more pictures of the extra space behind the TV. We plan on using it to store the lighter stuff.

The best thing is there is no wind noise and no rattles.

 

[dpitchai]

I added air bag lifts and a remote controlled compressor. The air bags have 2” lift spacers on the rear. I connected the compressor to the rear bags in parallel so both inflate together. They raise the rear 2” at 80 psi. On my camper van I had them connected independently and could level it 4” from side to side. That is a future want on the BT. I did buy the softer coil springs for the front but have not installed them. They were spect in a earlier reply in this post.

Thanks. Did you buy Ford E250 front springs? If not, please share the link of the product that you bought. I have not replaced that yet but planning to.

Did you add sway bar? I am sure you are talented to install them on your own, but it is hard for me to find a mechanic who would install those.

Also, what is the tire pressure you are maintaining on front and rear.

 

[Just two]

Info on the springs

So I've been doing research on the front spring problem... I got on fords web site and found spring specs...there are 7 different springs available for the e350 chassis... mine a 2020 but I looked up and found info for a 2019... should be the same....anyway... when doing springs the first think you need to know is how much it weighs....on mine... the front axel is at 3000 lbs , then when I put the boat on back it drops to 2640 lbs....to find out the spring rate, you have to have either the spring part number, or the wire size...in my case, the wire size is .79... that is a 2900 lb spring, so X2 =5800 lbs..... there's the problem...that's about a 3000 lb too stiff of a spring... also that spring is not a variable rate it's constant...now, here's how I select the right spring... not always spot on with the first try, but close...with the front weight of 3000lbs, I add 10%..so 3300 lb spring should be right.....moog has 4 different springs for the e series...the part# cc81372...is a 1250 lb spring.. so X2 it's at 2500lbs...too soft...the rates are as follows....cc81370 =1523 lbs,...cc81368.. 1708 lbs,...cc81366.....1893 lbs...So with my weight of 3000 lbs....I gonna start with the cc81368...that puts me at 3416lbs of spring rate....which is close to my 3300lb need,...they are variable rate springs so the ride quality will be a huge gain...with that choice if I find it too soft or too harsh....there is a spring to go either way...the springs cost 95 bucks shipped to my door..and super easy to install...fingers cross'd that they work on the first try...

got this from the early part of this post. I hope it works to place it at the end. CC 81368 springs $100.00 I found a mechanic that works on campers and has an alignment machine that can do the front end. I heard that an alignment should be done after replacing the springs. Still working on the inside. Will work more on the ride later.

 

[Just two]

No sway bar yet.

Did you add sway bar? I am sure you are talented to install them on your own, but it is hard for me to find a mechanic who would install those.

.

No sway bar. I will decide if I need one after I finish the inside build. I did get pictures of the tags on the bars. I will look them up see what size they are.

 

[Just two]

Added the flooring
Home Depot luxury vinyl life proof.

Time will tell how it wears. We have it in our sticks and bricks and it has worked well.

 

[Just two]

Removed the 4k watt generator. Anyone need one? Added a drawer for a 2.5 kw inverter generator.
Reasons. Quieter, lighter, new generator runs on gas and propane. The 4kw weighs near 200 lbs new one is under 50 lbs. We have over 1000 amp hours-of lithium batteries and 1000 watts of solar. The generator is only needed to charge the batteries on extreme days.

 

[MV213]

Hello! I’ve been following this thread forever! How did you insulate the overcab area? The fiberglass batts they used from the factory hang down and do exactly nothing. I would be tempted to have foam sprayed in there but if there is a better cheaper alternative, would love to hear it. Thanks!!!

 

[Just two]

Hello! I’ve been following this thread forever! How did you insulate the overcab area? The fiberglass batts they used from the factory hang down and do exactly nothing. I would be tempted to have foam sprayed in there but if there is a better cheaper alternative, would love to hear it. Thanks!!!

Removed the worthless fiberglass insulation. Cleaned the inside of the fairing, applied self adhesive foil insulation in several layers. Added rock wool insulation and a plastic vapor barrier. Used the vapor barrier and the new cabinet framing to hold the rock wool in place.

This definitely stopped the wind noise going down the highway

Also a good time to seal the inside of the top marker lights.

 

[Just two]

Hello! I’ve been following this thread forever! How did you insulate the overcab area? The fiberglass batts they used from the factory hang down and do exactly nothing. I would be tempted to have foam sprayed in there but if there is a better cheaper alternative, would love to hear it. Thanks!!!

Here is the insulation we started with. Bought the Rockwool at Home Depot.

 

[Just two]

Thinking of installing a diesel heater so when we are boon docking we can save the propane. We have one in our camper van and love it. I have a package one I used in a shop that can be repurposed.

I did install a diesel heater under the kitchen counter. I added duct work from it to push hot air to the bathroom, main area and just behind the cab.
Added a 10 liter diesel tank in the storage compartment at the rear of the rear tires. It has a fill cap to the outside just by the gas fill very convenient.

We took a trip to Minnesota and camped in 6 degree temps. The heater worked great. We still have the propane heater and tested it. Diesel wins hands down. The vent to the rear bath was great.

You may be able to see the added fill in the picture below. It is the Crome one (between the wheel well and the new storage door).

 

[Just two]

Full disclosure, I did relocate the diesel heater from under the kitchen cabinet to next to the water tank. The exhaust pipe works better in the new location. Also servicing will be much easier. Still using the ducts to the three main areas. I installed an exhaust end used for boat hauls. Just in front of the battery access door.

You can see the new end to the right of the generator in the picture below.

 

[mzweili]

"I took my coach out to get it weighted... only 3000 lbs front,.. 6880 rear, so 9880lbs total.. that was just me, 180lbs, and all tanks full...one of my problems was it would bounce the front wheels off the ground... and real loose on the front end"
As mechanical guy, I can't understand that this vehicle even could get a technical safety approval

 

[MV213]

Full disclosure, I did relocate the diesel heater from under the kitchen cabinet to next to the water tank. The exhaust pipe works better in the new location. Also servicing will be much easier. Still using the ducts to the three main areas. I installed an exhaust end used for boat hauls. Just in front of the battery access door.

You can see the new end to the right of the generator in the picture below.

Here is the insulation we started with. Bought the Rockwool at Home Depot.

Thank you!

 

[MV213]

Removed the worthless fiberglass insulation. Cleaned the inside of the fairing, applied self adhesive foil insulation in several layers. Added rock wool insulation and a plastic vapor barrier. Used the vapor barrier and the new cabinet framing to hold the rock wool in place.

This definitely stopped the wind noise going down the highway

Also a good time to seal the inside of the top marker lights.

Thanks, this great!

 

[Just two]

Had a roll across screen door so we added it to our cruiser. I can’t believe the fit. It tucks away nicely on the hinge side of the entrance. It is nice and tight and much quieter going down those bumpy roads. We bought that door from Home Depot for our stick and bricks, but found it worked better in our traveling home. The bugs hate it because it keeps them on the outside where they belong.

 

[Just two]

Added a curtain track and curtain to add a little privacy between the bathroom and bedroom areas. It comes in handy more than we thought. It is nicely useful.